How to Find Your National Bank Routing Number in Canada

A routing number is a critical piece of banking information required for many electronic funds transfers. This 10-digit code identifies the financial institution and branch location for a bank account.

For customers of National Bank of Canada, understanding your routing number is key to smooth transactions into and out of your accounts. This in-depth guide explains everything you need to know about National Bank routing numbers, including where to find yours.

What Is National Bank Routing Number in Canada and Why Does It Matter?

A routing number serves one main purpose – getting your money where it needs to go. It’s comprised of two components:

National Bank Transit Number

The first part is a 5-digit transit number (also called the branch number) that identifies the specific National Bank branch location where your account is held.

This tells systems where to deposit or withdraw funds in the branch network. No two branches will share the same transit number.

National Bank Institution Number

Next is a 3-digit institution number that identifies the financial institution itself, which for National Bank customers is 006.

This institution number tells systems who the account is held with. It distinguishes National Bank accounts from the thousands of other banks and credit unions in Canada.

Together, when the 5-digit transit number and 3-digit institution number are combined, they form a routing number that uniquely identifies both the bank branch and financial institution for an account.

When Do You Need to Provide the National Bank Routing Number?

Any time money is moving into or out of your accounts electronically, you’ll be asked to supply your routing number along with your account number. Here are some examples:

Setting Up Direct Deposit

Giving your employer or other regular payers your routing number facilitates direct deposit of funds into your account. No more waiting in line to cash cheques!

Paying Bills Online

National Bank’s online and mobile banking platforms allow you to securely pay companies and bills from your account. They will request your account’s routing number to set this up.

Sending or Receiving Wire Transfers

For both domestic and international wire transfers, the sender and receiver provide their routing number and account number as part of the transaction. This ensures the funds end up in the intended accounts.

Linking External Accounts

If you need to connect your National Bank account to accounts at other financial institutions, supplying your routing number helps link them securely.

Account Ownership Verification

Many businesses will ask you to provide your routing number to verify that you are the legitimate owner of an account.

So, in summary, any time money is moving digitally into or out of your accounts by way of direct deposits, bill payments, wire transfers, or account linkage, you’ll need to share the routing number to facilitate the smooth processing of the transaction.

Where to Find Your National Bank Routing Number

National Bank offers several easy ways to find your personal routing number. Here are a few options:

Look on Your Cheque

For everyday personal chequing accounts, take a look at the bottom left corner of one of your cheques, which will display a string of numbers separated by symbols:

The first nine digits, starting from the left side, comprise your routing number:

• The first 5 digits = Your National Bank transit number
• The next 3 digits = National Bank institution number (006)
• Remaining digits = Your National Bank account number

So, on a physical cheque, identifying that 9-digit routing number is straightforward. Just read from left to right and stop after the first nine numbers.

Check Online Banking

Log into National Bank’s online banking platform or mobile app. Under account details, you’ll see your 5-digit transit number and the 3-digit institution number – together, forming your account’s full routing number.

Call National Bank

Can’t access a cheque or your online banking account? Simply call National Bank’s customer service line at 1-888-835-6281. Their banking specialists can provide your routing number over the phone after verifying your identity. ( Source )

Use the Branch Address

Routing numbers can also be looked up by searching for your specific National Bank branch address in the Canadian Payments Association (CPA) Lists.

So, in summary, National Bank makes it easy to access your important routing number through several convenient channels.

How National Bank Routing Numbers Work During Transfers

Now that you know where to find your National Bank routing number, let’s look at how it gets used during some common digital transactions:

Direct Deposit Setup

To put a direct deposit in place with your employer or another payer, they will need your:

• National Bank account number
• National Bank transit number
• National Bank institution number (006)
• Your name

With these details, they can seamlessly deposit funds into your account on the schedule you specify.

Online Bill Payments

When setting up online bill payments through National Bank’s digital platforms, companies will request:

• Your account number
• Your transit number
• Institution number (006)

National Bank then uses those details to process one-time or recurring payments to companies on your behalf.

Domestic and International Wire Transfers

To send or receive wire transfers within Canada or internationally requires:

• Your account number
• Your transit number
• Institution number (006)
• SWIFT code (for international wires)
• Your full name and address

Providing this wire transfer information guarantees funds get deposited into the intended recipient accounts, wherever they may be.

So whether it’s payroll, bills, or wires, the routing number routes your money where it needs to go!

Other Important National Bank Banking Codes

For international transfers or sending/receiving foreign currencies, National Bank uses a few additional banking identification codes beyond the routing number:

SWIFT Code

The SWIFT code uniquely identifies the National Bank on the global SWIFT network for international money transfers. This code is: NCDCCATT

It is essential to route international wires to and from your National Bank account.

ABA Routing Number (For U.S. Wires)

To route transfers specifically within the United States, the American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number is: 021000021

So, for USD wires between U.S. banks, the National Bank ABA number is needed instead of the normal Canadian routing number.

IBAN – Does NOT Apply to Canadian Banks

One code you may hear mentioned is the IBAN or International Bank Account Number. However, IBANs only identify European bank accounts and do NOT apply to National Bank or other Canadian financial institutions.

What If You Only Have Partial Routing Number Information?

Sometimes, you may end up with only part of the full routing number available. Here’s how to deal with that:

If You Only Have 4 Digits for the Transit Number

Simply add a leading zero to turn it into the required 5-digit transit number format.

For example, a transit number of 5219 would become 05219.

If Your Account Number Has Less Than 9 Digits

Most National Bank account numbers contain only seven digits. To reach the nine digits required for electronic transfers, add two zeros in front.

So, an account like 985412 would become 00985412.

With this knowledge, you can piece together the full routing number, even when only partial information is accessible.

In Summary

• A routing number is made up of the transit number and institution number to identify bank branches and accounts.
• National Bank routing numbers are needed for direct deposits, online bill payments, wire transfers, and other electronic money movements.
• Check your cheque or online banking, or call National Bank to find your 9-digit routing number.
• For international National Bank wires, you may also need to provide the SWIFT code or ABA number.
• If you only have partial routing number details, add leading zeros to fill in the gaps.

Knowing how to find your National Bank routing number is key to smooth electronic bank account transactions. With this guide, you can now handle any situation requiring this important piece of banking information.

Our Complete Routing Number Series

Want to learn how to find and use bank routing numbers for all your banking needs? Check out our guides:

• How to Find Your BMO Routing Number
• How to Find Your CIBC Routing Number
• How to Find Your TD Routing Number
• How to Find Your RBC Routing Number
• How to Find Your Tangerine Routing Number
• How to Find Your Scotiabank Routing Number
• Finding Your Simplii Financial Routing Number

Find routing numbers with ease for all your Canadian banking needs!

Want to take control of your finances? Head to LifeBuzz.ca for more helpful money tips and financial literacy resources. Learn to budget properly, manage debt, invest wisely, and reach your financial goals! Don’t let banking details scare you – with Life Buzz‘s guides, you’ll understand routing numbers and all things money-related in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions About National Bank Routing Numbers

Here are some answers to common questions that arise when dealing with National Bank account details:

Article Sources:

Delve into the principles that guide our dedication to truthfulness, clarity, and editorial autonomy by exploring the Lifebuzz.ca Editorial Policy. This is the cornerstone of our esteemed status as the premier trusted source for life insurance information in Canada.

1. What information do I need to provide to receive an international transfer? – https://www.nbc.ca/
2. National Bank institution number, transit number and routing number – https://wise.com/